August 14-20, 2003

artpicks

Jodi Letizi

Cabaret

As a 12-year-old, South Philadelphia-born actress Jodi Letizia played the part of Marie, the young neighborhood girl in the 1976 film Rocky. Since then, she has had small parts in films like Slaves of New York and Mannequin and performed in the shows Dressing Room Divas, II and Hot Keys. Now, Letizia is writing and performing in her own live musical comedies starring a cast of eccentric characters in shows titled A Big Girl's Blouse, Love is a Four Letter Word and the current Over the Edge. From a Jewish mother to an Italian lesbian prostitute, the characters are all inspired by people she has encountered in her everyday life, and while each is unique and funny in her own way, all are connected in their struggles to escape from and deal with the reality of their lives. Letizia introduces her audience to several characters in her one-woman show, which is part comedy, part cabaret, using their outrageous personalities to involve her audience and make each show distinct and often risque. While there is a script, it is only loosely followed since Letizia prefers to work off the dynamic of the audience. "I basically just do whatever I feel," says Letizia about her performance style. 'I have no boundaries, except that I don't cut anybody or kill anybody."

Jodi Letizia, Thu., Aug. 14 and Fri., Aug. 15, 8 p.m., $18, Silk City, Fifth and Spring Garden sts., 215-592-8838.

—Dana Procaccino